Carrot Cake

My Grandma Jackson had this incredible carrot cake recipe that everyone in our family loved. I've made a few updates to Grandma's yummy dessert, like buying a 16-ounce bag of baby carrots, which are already peeled, then grinding them in a food processor--not grating them, and adding a little coconut to make it even more moist and fabulous. Sometimes I make this recipe as cupcakes, which everyone goes crazy over, so I thought I would share this family recipe for all to enjoy. This version is for a three-layer cake.

• 2 cups all purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 16 ounces baby carrots, finely chopped in food processor (3 cups)
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup coconut

Sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside. Mix together chopped carrots, oil, eggs, pecans, and coconut until well blended. Add the flour mixture. Lightly smear oil or butter around inside edges of three round cake pans, the sprinkle with flour, then shake off excess flour. Evenly divide the cake batter into the three pans and bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 325 degrees F. Cool completely then frost with cream cheese frosting.

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
• 16 ounces powdered sugar

To make frosting, mix the above three ingredients together until smooth and creamy. Frost the three layers of cake, then garnish with additional chopped nuts if desired. In this cake below, I wanted the finely chopped pecans to look like the sand of a beach, then added some colorful mini umbrella toothpicks to finish the beach look.
This week I have celebrated the birthdays of three different friends! Yesterday I hosted a 40th birthday party for one of my neighbors, Sherrie, and posted pictures on Facebook of that big soirée. I love birthdays and hope that whom ever sees this will make sure I know when your big day is so I can party with you, long distance or in person.